Commerce Chenango was again designated by the Chenango County Board of Supervisors as the official Tourism and Promotion Agency for Chenango County for the coming year. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — Commerce Chenango was again designated by the Chenango County Board of Supervisors as the official Tourism and Promotion Agency for Chenango County for the coming year.

Commerce Chenango President and CEO Salvatore Testani said he was thankful the board agreed to renew the designation and said the organization will focus on the continuation of a plan started in 2023.

“Commerce Chenango is very pleased that the county legislature named us as the Tourism and Promotional Agency for Chenango County,” said Testani.

Testani said over the past few years they have been focused on not only getting people to visit the county, but to truly create a visitor economy.  

“A visitor economy is one where the benefits of tourism is felt beyond our restaurants and hotels,” said Testani. “It includes adjacent attractions, events and entertainment, as well as the jobs and businesses that support them.”

He said in 2025 they contracted with consultants James, Lang and LaSalle to help them with that work.  

“We assembled a steering committee and conducted a series of focus groups,” Testani said. “We are in the final stages of that work and we will continue down that path in 2026.”

Testani explained their goal is to develop a very specific action plan that will tangibly impact the local economy and said they will continue to promote the numerous events throughout the county.

He also noted they have been very successful in increasing the number of visitors in the county, measured by the increase in bed taxes collected.

The 2024 Chenango County Tourism Report shows tourism spending included: Taste of Chenango, Fireworks over fairgrounds, Afton Arts and Crafts, Rock the Quarry, Green Applefest, Pageant of Bands, Airport Days, Summer Concert Series, Museums and More, Canoe Regatta, Unadilla Motocross, Colorscape, BluesFest, Norwich Copies Plus printing, catering and tourism events, Norwich family YMCA- Gus Macker, and more.

According to Commerce Chenango, the county has over 63,700 acres of state land and offers vast wilderness, providing a variety of activities through the seasons such as birdwatching, horseback riding, snowmobiling, hunting, creek-walking, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing.

Tourism spending in Chenango County for 2025 included: BluesFest, Taste of Chenango, Tourism meal expenses, Airport Days, Great Getaways, Summer Concert Series, Chenango County Fair, Visitor economy study balance, Southern Trail Beverage Trail, and more.

Commerce Chenango Tourism Director Sophia Root said having the number of visitors is an elusive data point, yet she shared details of the economic impact and how Chenango County visitor spending compares to other counties in the region.

Root disclosed Chenango County visitor spending for local businesses increased from $44 million in 2023 to $48.4 million in 2024, a growth of 8.9% , the largest in the tourism region.

This gain generated $2.8 million in local taxes, creating money for schools, roads, local initiatives, and tourism.

She also pointed to visitor spending totals in surrounding counties being higher yet their 2024 growth increases were lower than Chenango County.

The following counties visitor spending increases were as follows: Herkimer at 2.3%, Broome at 5.2%, Oneida at 6.4%, Otsego at 8.4%, Madison at 6.3%, Schoharie at 0.2% and Montgomery at 4.9%, bringing the total 2024 regional growth increase to 6.1%.

Their mission statement is “To foster Chenango County’s economic prosperity by promoting tourism destinations and experiences, strengthening community pride, improving residents’ quality of life, and ensuring visitors have an exceptional experience exploring our unique rural landscapes and small-town charm.”

Commerce Chenango was founded in 1959 and is a not-for-profit, community based organization.

For more information, visit their website at www.visitchenango.com or visit their Facebook page at Commerce Chenango.